Police Telecommunicator

Job TitlePrimary Reason Why Classification Exists To perform routine telecommunications work in receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls for the police department. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class is responsible for receiving service calls from the public, prioritizing calls, dispatching appropriate public safety officials, and maintaining open lines of communication with public safety during emergency situations. Emphasis of the work is on taking emergency calls from citizens or businesses, data entry into emergency CAD dispatch consoles, providing information and referral to the public, and communicating with police and fire officials during emergencies. The employee must have the ability to handle multiple situations at a time and the ability to make decisions quickly under stressful situations. Work is supervised by a shift supervisor or law enforcement officer. Work is evaluated on the basis of handling calls according to defined protocols, personal observation, review of tapes, and feedback from public safety personnel and the general public.Illustrative Examples of WorkReceives incoming calls from the public; evaluates requests for service and makes decisions on which public agency provides the required assistance to the situation; prioritizes the call according to severityReceives after-hours calls for utilities, street maintenance, and traffic signal malfunctionsDispatches police officials to emergencies; communicates with police or fire officers during situations; sends additional units to situation based on officers requests or updated informationMonitors self-initiated activities of police officers and provides them with information on retained suspectsMaintains records of authorizations, warrants, and other information required for DCE/NCIC entries; logs all activitiesUses NC AWARE Program to check for outstanding warrants; communicates results to officers in the fieldCloses telecommunications calls for service and identifies police units back in serviceUpdates criminal history logsKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of the operation and use of computer aided dispatching equipmentKnowledge of FCC communications signals in lieu of voice trafficKnowledge of various support manuals and resources such as call books, HAZMAT manual, tactical dispatch manual, and other standard operating procedural manualsSome knowledge of current telecommunications practices and procedures as well as practices and procedures used in the police and fire departmentsSome knowledge of city geography and street locationsAbility to manage multiple situations at once under stressful conditionsAbility to operate a computer terminal, telephones, radios, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) consoles; ability to sit for long periods of time in low light with multiple computer screensAbility to enter information on a call while talking to a citizen, or police, fire, or EMS unit providing serviceAbility understand or comprehend calls made with different accents or broken EnglishAbility to read maps quickly, scan warrant files, and review recorded tapesAbility to calmly communicate with people in emergency and stressful situations and document actions takenRequirementsPhysical Requirements Work in this position is sedentary requiring exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Employee must have the visual acuity to operate a computer terminal. Focused concentration for extended periods of time causing fatigue without periodic breaks is an occupational hazard. Employee works rotating shifts which can cause fatigue from switching internal biorhythm clocks Education and Experience Graduation from high school or GED equivalency and some prior experience in a dispatch function or extensive public contact role. Prior experience in a law enforcement or fire/EMS environment is desired Special Requirement NC DCI CertificationBenefitsPlease visit our employee benefits page to learn more about benefits offered at the City of Newton.